We have some very unfortunate news to report today as former WWE superstar Windham Rotunda, otherwise known as Bray Wyatt, passed away very unexpectedly earlier today. He was 36.
The news was broken by WWE COO Triple H, who posted the following on Twitter:
“Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda – also known as Bray Wyatt – unexpectedly passed earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”
It had been reported that Wyatt was away from WWE battling what was described as a “career and life-threatening” illness. He was currently preparing for a return to in-ring competition.
From Wrestling Inc:
Rotunda’s televised WWE career began in 2010, when he joined the cast of the original “NXT” as Husky Harris, competing in the second season of the original “reality show” format of the program. As Husky Harris, he joined the “NXT”-centric heel stable The Nexus on the main roster, but was written off television and sent back to WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, in 2011. He was repackaged as the sinister cult figure Bray Wyatt in 2012 and was a major part of the re-branded “WWE NXT” when it functionally replaced FCW, becoming one of the show’s most popular acts alongside his cohorts, Erick Rowan and the late Luke Harper, aka The Wyatt Family. This incarnation would take him back to the main roster, where his career had numerous ups and downs; Rotunda seemed almost constantly in the act of re-inventing himself, a process that culminated in 2019, when he debuted both his Firefly Funhouse segments and his alter ego The Fiend, who notoriously wrestled under a terrifying mask and obtrusive red lights. Over the course of his career, he won the WWE Championship, the WWE Universal Championship, and two tag team championships.
We at Wrestling Rumors extend our deepest condolences to the Rotunda family during this difficult time.
The professional wrestling community is in shock and mourning today as news broke of the unexpected passing of former WWE superstar Windham Rotunda, known to fans around the world as Bray Wyatt. The 36-year-old wrestler’s death was confirmed by WWE COO Triple H in a heartfelt tweet earlier today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.
Bray Wyatt, born Windham Lawrence Rotunda, had a storied career in the world of professional wrestling. He first burst onto the scene in 2010 as Husky Harris on the original season of “NXT.” After a stint with The Nexus, Harris was repackaged as the enigmatic Bray Wyatt in 2012. Alongside his cohorts Erick Rowan and the late Luke Harper, known as The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt quickly became one of the most popular acts on the re-branded “WWE NXT” show.
Wyatt’s character was known for his sinister cult-like persona and his ability to reinvent himself. In 2019, he debuted the Firefly